Pakistan: Twin blasts near Charsadda court, six dead, 14 injured

DPO Khalid also confirmed to a Pakistani daily The International News that three terrorists tried to enter the court but were killed by the security forces before they could do any more damage. “One suicide bomber blew himself up at the gate of the local court. The other two terrorists have been killed by the police,” the DPO was quoted by The International News. The DAWN has reported that one of the terrorist was killed at the gate during the firing, while another one was killed during his attempt to enter the court by the forces.

According to reports, a heavy contingent of security forces and police forces immediately launched measures to take control of the area. The forces have managed to cordon the region, as per the latest reports. Bomb disposal squad and ambulances have also reached the site and are trying to deal with the situation, the reports says. Reports says hospitals in nearby areas, including Lady Reading Hospital in Peshawar have been alerted regarding the incident.

WATCH VIDEO | At Least 6 Dead, 14 Injured In Blasts Near Charsadda Court In Pakistan

A witness told news agency Reuters that he had seen “many” dead bodies at the scene. Town resident Mohammad Shah Baz  said, “I escaped towards the canteen and climbed the wall to save my life. But there were many people dead and injured,” he said. Jamaat-ur-Ahrar spokesman Asad Mansoor claimed responsibility for the attack in a message to journalists. He said fighting was still going on at the court.

The latest attack came as security has been tightened across Pakistan after a recent wave of terrorist strikes killed more than 100 people. On Thursday, a suicide bomber killed 88 people at a famed Sufi shrine in Sindh province. Following the attack, the army launched an offesive against militants and claimed to have killed more than 130 terrorists across the country. A suicide bomber had struck a local court in Charsadda’s Shabqadar area last year in March, killing 17 people.

(With inputs from Reuters/PTI)